A fresh addition to the Foundation for Empowerment through Afrikaans (SBA)’s investment in education since 2017 includes a focus on literacy within the sphere of science development.
A partnership with Stellenbosch University Department of Chemistry led to the annual presentation of a workshop for primary school science teachers in Afrikaans. This year’s workshop, with the approval of the WCED, is presented in Leeu Gamka and includes primary school teachers from 20 schools in the Karoo district – the SBA’s geographical focus area for projects in 2019.
The workshop emphasizes the basics and simple chemicals that are easily available to everyone. Furthermore, it seeks to reveal the world of science and its integral practical nature to learners.
Dr. Rehana Malgas-Enus, affiliated with the Department of Chemistry (US), will lead the practical day-long presentation specifically designed to add value within the context of the school curriculum. Each attendee will also receive an equipped science box to the value of R1 200 to take to school as an auxiliary teaching medium.
A high school laboratory workshop at Stellenbosch Campus is also presented annually to SBA focus schools’ Grade 11 learners and matrics. This day-long workshop allows learners to experience the practical component of the school curriculum in a fully equipped laboratory. Earlier this year, this honor went to learners of Hoërskool Zwartberg at Prince Albert and next year it will be Hoërskool Murraysburg’s turn.
Through the above projects, the SBA hopes to empower learners as well as teachers and ultimately recruit more potential students from remote areas for the science field.